Moving towards a Hepatitis Free Generation

Did you know that Hepatitis is the world's 8th biggest killer? In India alone, an estimated 40 million people are affected by Hepatitis B, and 15 million by Hepatitis C. Yet this number could be easily curbed with simple prevention messages.

Half of Hepatitis B infections come from mother-to-child transmission, and half during early childhood.

Since November 2012. United Way Mumbai has worked with AmeriCares India Foundation to increase awareness about the dangers of Hepatitis and stop mother-to-child transmission. Our Pahal program focused on three impoverished communities in Mumbai where awareness about Hepatitis is low and access to quality healthcare services is limited.

WHAT WE'VE ACHIEVED TOGETHER:

Over the last three years, our awareness campaign has reached 430,000 people with information about the risks of Hepatitis and how to prevent transmission. More than 11,000 women of child-bearing age benefited from in-depth support (e.g., medical referral and patient support groups).

We tested 1,500 people, the majority of whom were women and non-vaccinated children, and connected 44 people diagnosed as Hepatitis B positive with proper treatment.

We immunized more than 5,000 people, and informed pregnant women about the need for immunoglobulin and vaccination right after birth.

More than 6,000 student volunteers joined with 2,500 female health workers and other non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to take on this epidemic. We still have much to do, but the results we’ve achieved so far give us hope for the future.